Skopje, 6 September 2023 (MIA) – As a Government, we are working with dedication to promote gender equality in all areas. Which is why the ratification of the Istanbul Convention was one of the first steps we took in 2017. In order to be able to speak about promoting the status of women in society, first we must lift them out of the decades-long challenge which exists as the main barrier for their success - violence, said Minister of Labor and Social Policy, Jovanka Trenchevska, in her address Wednesday at the third working session “Women's Political Participation/Gender Equality in Political Life” within the frameworks of the OSCE Gender Equality and Women's Empowerment Conference.

Trenchevska, according to the Ministry of Labor and Social Policy, also spoke about legislation which guarantees the promotion of gender equality, with a focus on the Istanbul Convention and the Law on preventing violence against women and girls adopted in 2021.

“With the new Law on preventing violence against women and girls adopted in 2021, we oblige the institutions to take the appropriate measures in case of any violent act. The institutions are key points in the circle that lift the victims out of violent environments, and they resume with their constant work to ensure each of them can perfectly integrate into society, to step down the path to success and contribute to the success of another victim,” said Trenchevska.

The Minister said that the work on this issue and raising awareness about violence on women is of exceptional importance, while also noting that no single legislation will be able to correctly map the challenges of women if women themselves are not involved in its adoption.

Trenchevska highlighted that currently there are five women ministers in central positions of the decision-making processes, as well as three deputy ministers.

“There are 49 women MPs, a large number of women directors who, with their contribution to society, represent the strength, voice and faith of many women that dreams can come true, and that decisions can and should be made by women. These figures are encouraging in certain fields, but are still low in others. Women’s path to political life is still different from men’s, we can see this at the local level where the real changes begin,” said the Minister.

In her address, Trenchevska stressed that women’s participation in politics represents a promise that the needs of each woman won’t be left behind and will be placed on the agenda.

Photo: Ministry of Labor and Social Policy